Obituary of Marcella Weiderstein

R. “Marcella” Wiederstein, 94 of Iowa City, formerly of Ft. Dodge, died Friday, May 29, 2009, in Iowa City. Funeral services will be held at the Chapel of Peace Mausoleum at North Lawn Cemetery in Fort Dodge on Monday June 1 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions directed to the discretion of the family. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City assisted in the local arrangements for Marcella. Roberta Marcella Lantow was born June 21, 1914 in Sumner, Iowa the daughter of Reverend F.J. and Martha Haag Lantow. As a small child she developed a love for music and she played both piano and violin throughout both her grade school and high school years. Upon graduation from high school she attended the Cornell College Conservatory of music in Mt. Vernon, Iowa where she continued to study music. On March 2, 1939 she was married to Walter Wiederstein in Renwick, Iowa. They made their home in Audubon, Iowa where they lived until moving to Fort Dodge, Iowa in September of 1976. In September 2003 Marcella moved from Fort Dodge to Iowa City. Marcella spent a large part of her time in church work and was the church pianist for 40 years. She also taught piano lessons to students from 1936 until 2008. Survivors include one daughter Roberta, Mrs. David Sonksen, son-in-law Dr. David Sonksen, three grandchildren, Dr. Lynette Arens and husband Dale, Dr. Andrew Sonksen and wife Julie, and Janelle Greiner and husband Christopher, five great grand children, Luke and Kelsey Arens, Samuel Sonksen, and Jordan and Malia Greiner, other relatives and friends. Her husband, parents, one brother and sister preceded her in death. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Fort Dodge.